Many **canine mammary tumors** are estrogen-driven, creating a need for **anti-estrogenic therapies** that are effective and well tolerated. A 2023 study by **J. Bennett and colleagues** investigated **AFPep**, a synthetic peptide derived from alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), which is a naturally occurring mammalian protein with known estrogen-blocking properties.
The research evaluated both **healthy and tumor-bearing dogs**, administering AFPep via **injection and oral routes** in single and repeated doses. The results showed that dogs reached blood concentrations of AFPep previously demonstrated to inhibit mammary cancer growth in rodent models. Importantly, **no adverse effects** were observed in clinical behavior, blood chemistry, or hematology results.
These findings support AFPep’s **high tolerability and safety** in dogs and indicate its **strong potential as a therapeutic agent** against mammary cancer. As traditional treatment often relies solely on surgery, AFPep could offer a **minimally invasive medical approach** to managing this common cancer in female dogs, especially where surgery alone may be insufficient.
The study positions AFPep as a **promising next step in veterinary oncology**, warranting further development and clinical trials to explore its full therapeutic benefits.
Source: J. Bennett, A. Hohenhaus, T. Andersen. Published in Animals, Volume 13, January 25, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040722
